Slaying of journalists renews gun-control debate

The deadly shooting of two TV journalists in Virginia again brought the highly politicized issue of gun control to the forefront — with the 2016 Democratic front-runner quickly calling for action on gun violence.

Hours after the shooting, Hillary Clinton took to Twitter, saying, “we cannot wait any longer” to address gun violence. She added that she was “heartbroken and angry” over the tragedy that resulted in the deaths of 24-year-old reporter Alison Parker and 27-year-old cameraman Adam Ward, of Roanoke-based WDBJ.

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The two were killed Wednesday morning during a live broadcast at a shopping center. The gunman — Vester Lee Flanagan, a former employee of the TV station — used social media to show video of the shooting. Flanagan reportedly shot himself while being pursued by police on the highway and died Wednesday afternoon.

Clinton has made gun control a theme in her campaign. She’s repeatedly called on lawmakers to take on the gun lobby at events across the country.

Wednesday afternoon, Clinton elaborated on her stance while speaking to reporters at a campaign stop in Iowa. “We have got to do something about gun violence in America, and I will take it on,” Clinton said. “I feel just great heartache at what happened, and I want to reiterate how important [it is that] we not let another terrible instance go by without trying to do something more to prevent this incredible killing that is stalking our country.”

Democratic candidate Martin O’Malley addressed the violence early Wednesday morning in a tweet calling the murders “senseless” and “awful” during a house party in New Hampshire.

“There has been way too much violence in our country and far, far too much of it is gun related violence. My heart goes out now to all of the families that have been affected by this horrible, horrible tragedy,” O’Malley said. “Too much violence, too many deaths from guns in our country, and we need to do better as a nation.”

Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders has a more convoluted track record on gun control, in part because he is from Vermont, where many voters are fiercely opposed to stricter gun laws. He has become more open to gun measures over the years, though, saying during an interview last month on “Meet the Press” that “I believe that we need to make sure that certain types of guns used to kill people exclusively, not for hunting, they should not be sold in the United States of America.”

White House press secretary Josh Earnest touched on the shooting during a news briefing Wednesday, calling it an example of gun violence that has become all too common.

“There are some common-sense things that only Congress can do that we know would have a tangible effect,” he said. “The president continues to believe that they should do so.”

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords and her husband, NASA astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly, released a statement on the shooting Wednesday. They have become prominent gun control activists since the congresswoman was shot in the head in 2011.

“We are horrified to learn that two young journalists were murdered this morning doing the jobs they love,” the statement said. “Our country has a gun violence problem, and shootings like these are far too common in our country. Many times, they happen behind close[d] doors, in homes and schools and movie theaters. But this time, the horror unfolded live and on air, for all to see.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, reporter tweets quoted Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a former GOP presidential candidate, saying the government needs to do a better job identifying people who are mentally ill and keep them from obtaining guns. He was speaking to an Arizona radio station Wednesday morning.

The latest push for gun control comes after a spate of mass shootings this summer in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lafayette, Louisiana, and Charleston, South Carolina. In the wake of those tragedies, lawmakers and presidential candidates have been wading into the debate. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced an NRA-approved background check bill last month that encourages states to submit mental health records into the national criminal background check system.

However, the bill has stirred pushback from gun control groups, like the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, that say it doesn’t go far enough.

While legislative action isn’t likely, the latest shooting has the potential to further force the issue into the presidential election. Multiple GOP presidential candidates weighed in on Wednesday morning’s shooting but did not touch on gun control or rights.

All of our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and loved ones of @WDBJ7’s Alison and Adam.